How celebrating your badassery can be a powerful tool

In the fall of last year, I saw an announcement for my 30 year high school reunion. I haven’t attended any past reunions and for some reason I really felt compelled to go to this one. In fact, I made up my mind to go. Then, the doubts started creeping in. How could I go? I had nothing to show for myself. I wasn’t married, didn’t have kids, the work I do is still considered “woo woo” in these parts - I felt like I’d be judged as a failure. I knew I’d have to do some serious re-framing of this mindset or I wouldn’t end up going. Plus, it made me feel like crap. I recognized that I was the one judging myself as a failure and would need to shift that. Thankfully, the Universe intervened in the form of an email. 

The subject line was ‘No more hiding your badassery.’ It was from Amber, from Woman Unleashed (I highly recommend that you check her out). Basically, she pointed out that we often censor our greatness. Society has told us (women) not to brag or boast or make others feel uncomfortable with our achievements. She’s right, why should we play small? Instead, let’s celebrate what we’ve accomplished. She shared a list of amazing things she’s achieved over the years and ended that list with “I am a badass.” I was really inspired and sat down to write my own list. Once I finished, I was really amazed - I’ve accomplished A LOT. Here are a few things from my list:

• I attended college while finishing my senior year of high school
• I was a Rotary Exchange Student in Ecuador
• My Masters was done in a second language
• I was in a Fullbright-Hays Program in Costa Rica
• I’ve taught English in Japan
• I’ve lived, worked, or studied in 8 other countries
• I’ve set foot on all 7 continents and a lot of it was solo travel
• I’ve driven cross country hauling a U-Haul by myself
• I’ve bungee jumped, skydived, rappelled, zip lined, flown an acrobatic airplane, parasailed, hang glided,  gone canyoning, snorkeled, and scuba dived
• I’ve faced many of my fears head-on
• I’ve saved a child from drowning
• I’ve learned to communicate in 4 languages and am learning a 5th
• I’ve forged my own knife from scratch 
• I’ve partied with a rock band (Maná)
• I’ve taken some beautiful photographs during my travels
• I’ve had many amazing mystical experiences
• I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone over and over again
• I’ve lived a very experiential life full of adventure, exploration, and introspection
• I AM A BADASS!

How could I think of myself as a failure when I look at the life I’ve lived and what I’ve been able to achieve? This list helped me shift my thinking and how I saw myself. The conventional life wasn’t for me. I’ve wanted to really explore and experience life, which I did and still do. This list gave me a confidence boost. It helped me see myself through a new lens. It helped me define success and failure in a new way. 

Going to the reunion was definitely outside of my comfort zone - none of my good friends were going, I didn’t have a plus one, I’m introverted, and even on the drive there my ego was like, “it’s not too late, let’s not go.” Thankfully, I didn’t listen. I told my ego that we’d go for 30 minutes and if I wasn’t enjoying it, I could leave. I actually ended up staying for several hours and had a great time catching up with people. I even won an award for the most countries traveled to. 

I’m sharing this experience with you in the hopes that you’ll feel inspired to write your own badassery list and celebrate your accomplishments. That you take a moment from the inner and outer judgments and noise to reflect on what has meaning for you. That you take those steps outside of your comfort zone so your soul can stretch, grow, and learn. If you’re someone who has been playing small, that you decide to play big. You deserve that. From one badass to another, I see you and I celebrate you!

                                                                                                                                      Heart Hugs, Adrienne :)